Gripper is an enigma. He seems to have quite good defensive technique but too often just stalls at the crease for few runs... sort of like the Daren Ganga of old.

Craig Evans is a given to play Australia. He is an experienced player and Zimbabwe desperately need some experience.

I don't want to diss Zimbabwe or anything, but without Flower, I can see this series going worse for them than the Bangladeshi venture. That said, it can easily go the other way because that's the way Zimbabwe are.

Sreesanth said, "Next ball he was beaten and I said, 'is this the King Charles Lara? Who is this impostor, moving around nervously? I should have kept my mouth shut for the next ball - mind you, it was a length ball - Lara just pulled it over the church beyond the boundary! He is a true legend."

Originally posted by Mr Mxyzptlk I don't want to diss Zimbabwe or anything, but without Flower, I can see this series going worse for them than the Bangladeshi venture. That said, it can easily go the other way because that's the way Zimbabwe are.

I agree, it could well be worse, but traditionally Zimbabwe have such a lot of fight that it makes up slightly for the lack of depth, however this was sadly lacking in England this summer cept for Streak and Flower...

Glad to see they've picked Gavin Ewing, I've been tipping him for a while to get into the side. Has taken 7 wickets in an innings and scored a 200 in barely any games so far in his career, thinks of himself as more of a bowler but his batting has been his strong point. If he can succeed in either then Zimbabwe might have found a star.

Originally posted by Langeveldt Amazing isnt it, how many times have England been to Aus since 1992? It kind of makes a mockery of the whole ICC championship IMO... As well as not being fair in the first place...

Except that England go to Australia to play a traditional series, not an ICC series per se.

Originally posted by Bazza Crazy though that this is Zimbabwe's first test series in Australia. Bangladesh beat them to it, but ZImbabwe became members in what, 1992?

Yeah, I find it very strange. We have only played them in one test, in Harare in 1999. But we have played them in at least 20 one dayers... and they always seem to be very competitive.

Zimbabwe do well with their very limited player pool. They always seem to produce talented players and the odd win here and there, but I believe that they are still at least one quality batsman and bowler short of being consistent enough to trouble their opposition.

I am looking forward to this upcoming series - they should be a greater spectacle than Bangladesh. Australia will be too strong in the end, but the Zimbabweans will put up a fight.

I think they will perform quite well in the VB Series as well, and with the Indians also in the tournament, it should be quite exciting.

I am also willing to make the very bold prediction of Andy Flower making a return to the Zimbabwe team sometime in their tour... after all, he is playing for the Redbacks this upcoming season, and if they do suffer injury, they have a quality backup without having to fly them across the Indian.

What do you mean Neil? I believe Sri Lanka came to Australia for three Tests in 1995-96 season and on occasions for two or three Test series before that, so your comments dont stand up if you are talking up the ICC Test Championship.